A collage of literary snapshots from the life of a large traditional Catholic family

Month

July 2011

A sling chair, a steno book and a waterfall…and the sixteen year old poet in me awakens. The site itself is inspiring. So much so, that a local reporter for the Columbus Dispatch decided to take a few photos after observing the antics of three water sprites:

The Wasson Siblings: Abigail, Rylee and Maximilian...photo taken by Taylor Glascock, Columbus Dispatch

Feet dangling in icy cool water, pencil perched on paper…I watched you. I wanted to sketch the moment, to capture your grin…those dimples…the twinkling blue eyes and exuberance of youth. But I’m no artist. Words, as always, will be my sketch…a means to hold the moment:

Nestled in the crooked arms of a stream swiftly flowing to the Scioto, tumbling over a rocky cliff and spilling with loud voice and great spray; just a few bare miles past soy and corn spread across the flatlands like a great green blanket…a waterfall.

A magically misty majestic waterfall…

It sings, serenading the weary with siren’s voice: “Come. Come and be refreshed. Come…come and rest your body and soul…hear the Creator’s song! I’ll sing it for you…stop…stay and listen awhile…”

Oh…the impossibility of such a place! Rocky cliffs and dense emerald green…walls that beg the adventurous to climb “higher up and further in…”

Rainbowed droplets caressingly cool…and natural treasures abound!

A place of joy…of pensive contemplation and reflection. Of wonderment…the rumble and roar…the sheer power of this tumbling cataract call us to sing our own song…

“Thank you, Father. Thank you for this gift of beauty…so unexpected on a sultry summer day. It is good…

They’ve known each other since they were babies…our families are tied together by faith and love.

Mommy and baby Rylee ElizabethDaddy and Rylee's best friend...Maria Perpetua

Both shy and retiring, often fading into the background, overshadowed by older and bolder siblings.

Two very young friends...

But…

Together, as usual...

Together they knew no bounds! We often marveled at the incredible amount of mischief these two would get into…but only when together. We cleaned up yards and yards of toilet paper, wound round and round the house and staircase. Scrubbed toothpaste off walls and toilets. Vacuumed up coffee grounds and tea leaves joyfully strewn about the kitchen…yes…they were quite the pair! A diapered duo of destruction…

Partners in crime...our little mud monsters!

They learned to walk together. To talk together, often conversing in a gibberish that only the two of them understood. They played together…and argued occasionally, as little friends do. But their love for one another always trumped any petty disagreements and both grew into positively charming and obedient little girls.

A gaggle of girl friends...Trio...Maria, Constance and Rylee

And so it only seemed natural that these two, so closely bound for so many years, would approach the altar of the Lord together. The distance of a few hundred miles posed a few difficulties, but with God, all things are possible! And so we scheduled Rylee and Maria’s First Holy Communion for July 3rd, a holiday weekend that allowed for travel time and celebration.

Our girls were nervous. Both armed with an age appropriate understanding of this solemn occasion, they were so glad to have one another to lean upon…

They say a picture is worth a thousand words…these beautiful images tell a lovely story:

Anxious...soon, Maria...soon!Rylee looks serene......her tightly clasped hands tell another story!The Mass begins...It's time...the acolytes light their candlesThey're so excited...Escorted by the young men who've know them the longest...Rylee and Maria...flanked by three Wasson brothers...Approaching the Holy of Holies...Kneeling in adoration...and anticipationEgo te absolvo...Ecce Agnus Dei...Rylee...Maria...Smiles of pure joy...Praying for family and friends...Prayers of thanksgiving...Mother Mary, pray for these children!The obligatory altar boy shot: Michael, Joseph, Zachary, Maximilian, Maria and RyleeReady for the traditional scapular investiture...Receive this blessed Scapular......and beseech the Blessed Virgin that through Her merits......you may wear it without stain.May it defend you against all adversity and accompany you to eternal life. Amen.Happy Godparents and a very happy best friend!

***UPDATE: She’s feeling ever so much better now! Thank you for your prayers…she’s pretty much back to her old self and is hopeful that she’ll be able to attend this evening’s Red, White and Boom celebration…***

…for my sweet 8 year old Rylee Elizabeth, who will make her First Holy Communion along with her best friend, Maria Perpetua, on July 3rd. Rylee is quite ill today…migraine, nausea and no appetite. It could be that she stayed up much to late last night because the Grands are here. It could be that she is simply over-awed by the impending reception of the Blessed Sacrament and the party to follow…and of course we know that Satan will do anything to throw a monkey wrench into such a holy event. The very same thing happened to her sister, Abigail, two days before her First Holy Communion.

Your prayers for both Rylee and Maria are greatly appreciated. Two days ago, my girl tried on her dress and veil for the first time…her smile is beyond telling. “I feel so beautiful!” she said, when she gazed into the mirror. Oh, if only she felt better today…may God grant it and soon!

Free Traditional Catholic Planner: Embracing Tradition

My Mother…And Yours!

The most holy Virgin had more faith than all men and angels. She saw her Son in the crib of Bethlehem, and believed Him the Creator of the world. She saw Him fly from Herod, and yet believed Him the King of kings. She saw Him born, and believed Him eternal. She saw Him poor and in need of food, and believed Him the Lord of the universe. She saw Him lying on straw, and believed Him omnipotent. She observed that He did not speak, and she believed Him infinite wisdom. She heard Him weep, and believed Him the joy of Paradise. In fine, she saw Him in death, despised and crucified, and, although faith wavered in others, Mary remained firm in the belief that He was God.

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
Psalms 127:3-5

St. Thomas Aquinas – Patron of Sacred Heart Academy – Pray For Us!

A Student's Prayer
Creator of all things,
true source of light and wisdom,
origin of all being,
graciously let a ray of your light penetrate
the darkness of my understanding.
Take from me the double darkness
in which I have been born,
an obscurity of sin and ignorance.
Give me a keen understanding,
a retentive memory, and
the ability to grasp things
correctly and fundamentally.
Grant me the talent
of being exact in my explanations
and the ability to express myself
with thoroughness and charm.
Point out the beginning,
direct the progress,
and help in the completion.
I ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen. ---St. Thomas Aquinas

Litany Of Humility

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being loved...
From the desire of being extolled ...
From the desire of being honored ...
From the desire of being praised ...
From the desire of being preferred to others...
From the desire of being consulted ...
From the desire of being approved ...
From the fear of being humiliated ...
From the fear of being despised...
From the fear of suffering rebukes ...
From the fear of being calumniated ...
From the fear of being forgotten ...
From the fear of being ridiculed ...
From the fear of being wronged ...
From the fear of being suspected ...

That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be esteemed more than I ...
That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease ...
That others may be chosen and I set aside ...
That others may be praised and I unnoticed...
That others may be preferred to me in everything...
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…

Our Homeschool Bookshelf

The Latin-Centered Curriculum
Climbing Parnassus
Prima Latina
Latina Christiana II
Lingua Angelica(br>
Famous Men Of Rome
Famous Men Of Greece
D'Aulaire's Greek Myths
The Children's Homer
Story Of The World I
Artner Reader's Guide to American History
Exploring Creation With Biology
Exploring Creation With Botany
Along The Alphabet Path
The Flower Fairy Series
An Alphabet Of Catholic Saints
Spencerian Penmanship
Spelling Power
Jensen's Grammar
Format Writing
Christ The King Lord Of History
Traditional Logic
Classical Kids
Schuster Bible History
The Story of the Church
Baltimore Catechism
Writing Can Help
Our Father and Mother on Earth and in Heaven
American Cardinal Readers
TYCTR in 100 Easy Lessons
Saxon and MCP Math
Language of God
MCP Phonics
Square Notes - Gregorian Chant Workbook
Alfred's Basic Piano